American Craft Beer Week started in 2006 to spread the word about small American breweries. New Orleans joined the national event in 2009 when a handful of bars hosted tastings. This year, from Sunday through May 21, more than 45 area bars and stores will take part. A lot has changed in the local beer scene during the past three years.

In 2009, Abita was well-established, Covington's Heinbrau Brewery was making a name for itself, and the first two beers by NOLA Brewing Co. were introduced that March. Since then, Tin Roof brewery in Baton Rouge, Parish Brewing in Lafayette and Bayou Teche Biere in Arnaudville have added their names to the local beer market.

"Three years ago, there was very little interest from the state's distributors in carrying the products from the 'strange cats' who crafted small batches of beer, " said Karlos Knott of Bayou Teche Biere, which debuted its LA-31 "biere pale" in February 2010. "Now these distributors, who handle beers brewed by breweries large enough to run Super Bowl ads, are excited to promote and distribute our humble offerings."

Abita, for 25 years Louisiana's favorite alternative to mass market lagers, recently has seen more local drinkers opt for hoppier, more assertively flavored beers, such as its Jockamo IPA or Restoration Pale Ale. The north shore brewery also has experimented with stronger and bigger-flavored beers, such as Andygator or Abbey Ale, in 22-ounce "bomber"-style bottles.

"Everyone at Abita joined the team because they truly love great beer, and most were avid home brewers, " President David Blossman said. "We like to innovate, try out new ideas, new flavors and keep things interesting for our customers and for ourselves."

This year, for the first time, a limited amount of Abita beer was available at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival presented by Shell.

Three years ago, it was difficult to find well-regarded craft beers from other parts of the country in New Orleans. Now another label seems to enter the market every few weeks.

"With the addition of Stone Brewing, Moylan's, St. Arnold and others, we are slowly becoming a craft beer haven in the Gulf South, " said Jeremy Labadie, who runs a beer consulting business called 504 Craft and writes the blog www.thebeerbuddha.com.

Aaron Hyde of the homebrewing supply shop Brewstock, however, notes that New Orleans' beer culture still doesn't match that of other regions.

"New Orleans has a long way to go before it's a beer town, " Hyde said, "but the influx of young people post-Katrina from other parts of the country where beer culture is much stronger helped push things forward."

Polly Watts, owner of the Avenue Pub, notes that, overall, local drinkers still tend to shy away from the brash, hoppy beers that are popular in other states.

"My personal take, " Watts said, "is that the city still has a very European palate, which is more akin to a wine palate."

American Craft Beer Week is a chance to get up to speed on the growing local beer scene. Bars from Covington to Canal Street will offer tastings of national and regional craft beers and tap rarities such as an aged Abita Oatmeal Stout or a cask of NOLA Blueberry Wheat. For a complete list of events, visit theavenuepub.com/american-craft-beer-week.

American Craft Beer Week culminates with a grand tasting at the Avenue Pub on May 21, starting at 1 p.m. The St. Charles Avenue bar will serve nothing but American craft beers, including many that haven't before been in New Orleans. Twelve 4-ounce tastes can be purchased for $20. Present up to three receipts from an event at any bar participating in American Craft Beer Week to get bonus pours.

"I reserve the best of the best for this event, " Watts said. "I beg, borrow and steal to get unusual and one-off kegs."

This year, the best beers that Watts can find are a whole lot better than what she had at her first American Craft Beer Week tasting.

"The selection has improved 300 percent in the last three years, " she said.

Majoring in beer?

Many university students also get an education in beer. Drew Rowland, however, found a way to earn credits for his study of suds.

In the 2009 spring semester, Rowland created NOLA Brew History (nolabrewhistory.com) as a project for his Louisiana history class. Now the junior at the University of New Orleans is expanding the website as part of an independent study. Even after he leaves school, Rowland, who is from Illinois, plans to continue adding to the site until it becomes a complete archive of New Orleans' beer history.

Now he knows all about Jax, Dixie, Columbia and Falstaff. The website features brief histories of these breweries, many of which disappeared due to Prohibition. NOLA Brew History also includes interviews with the heads of modern local breweries such as Abita and NOLA Brewing Co.

Rowland has no qualms about getting help with his homework. He has a form on NOLA Brew History where anyone can submit photos and stories about the many breweries that once made New Orleans the beer capital of the South.

Rowland also hopes to gather information about historic New Orleans bars. If you submit stories of late-night adventures to NOLA Brew History, then all that time wasted in bars can be counted as "research."Drink Up!

American Craft Beer Week features seven days of special offerings and free tastings at more than 45 area bars and stores. Here are daily highlights. For a complete schedule, visit theavenuepub.com/american-craft-beer-week.

Sunday

The Avenue Pub, 1732 St. Charles Ave.

2 p.m.: The bar taps two rare kegs by Houston's St. Arnold brewery, including the Divine Reserve No. 11 Imperial IPA. The brewery first entered the Louisiana market, its only market outside Texas, in December.

Monday

The Barley Oak, 2101 Lakeshore Drive, Mandeville

7-9 p.m.: North shore beer bar serves a vintage Abita Oatmeal Stout on a nitrogen tap, the system commonly used with Guinness.

The north shore microbrewery, founded in 2005, kicks off a week of free evening tours. Call 985.893.2884 or visit heinerbrau.com for more details.

Tuesday

Bridge Lounge, 1201 Magazine St.

9-10 p.m.: Get a free sampling of beers from highly regarded Brooklyn Brewery.

The Chimes, 19130 W. Front St., Covington

7-9 p.m.: Order a pint of cask-conditioned Abita Double IPA at this recently opened north shore location of the popular Baton Rouge bar.

Rendezvous, 3101 Magazine St.

8-9 p.m.: Catch up on the latest brews from Sam Adams, one of the first and most important craft breweries, at this free tasting.

Wednesday

Acquistapace's, 125 E. 21st Ave., Covington

5-7 p.m.: Get a free taste of several craft beers, including Stone, Abita, Brooklyn and Shmaltz.

The Avenue Pub, 1732 St. Charles Ave.

6-9 p.m.: The craft beer bar features "nano" breweries, very small breweries that don't widely distribute their products. Offerings on draft include four beers from Montreal's Dieu du Ciel brewpub, High and Mighty by brewmaster Will Shelton and Belgium-style saison from Florida's Saint Somewhere. The pub also will have on tap Canebrake by Parish Brewing, a Louisiana start-up currently found mainly in Cajun country.

Cork and Bottle, 3700 Orleans Ave.

9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Throughout the day, the wine shop inside the American Can Co. building offers giveaways and beer-related prizes. From 3-4 p.m., they'll have samples from Harpoon, Abita and Sam Adams.

Stein's Market and Deli, 2207 Magazine St.

4-6 p.m.: The deli with one of the best craft and imported beer selections in town holds a tasting of five different beers.

Thursday

The Bricks Courtyard Bar and Grill, 735 St. Joseph St.

8:15-9:15 p.m.: Recently renovated bar offers samples of California's Stone, considered by many one of the nation's best craft breweries.

8-9 p.m.: Try out Tin Roof, a Baton Rouge-made beer that recently became available in New Orleans.

Winston's Pub, 531 Metairie Road, Metairie

5-7 p.m.: Sample various beers from Houston's Saint Arnold brewery.

May 20

The Avenue Pub, 1732 St. Charles Ave.

6-9 p.m.: The bar challenged area breweries, including Abita, Bayou Teche and Lazy Magnolia, to create unique beers for American Craft Beer Week. NOLA Brewing, along with a version of its 7th Street Wheat made with blueberries, brewed four versions of its NOLA Blonde Ale, each with a different type of hops.

Molly's at the Market, 1107 Decatur St.

8:30-9:30 p.m.: Try Magic Hat No. 9 from Vermont.

NOLA Brewing Co., 3001 Tchoupitoulas St.

2-4 p.m.: Tour New Orleans' own microbrewery and find out what new beers they're working on.

May 21

The Avenue Pub, 1732 St. Charles Ave.

1-9 p.m.: American Craft Beer Week ends with a massive grand tasting at the Avenue Pub. For $20, you can get a dozen 4-ounce pours of 49 American craft beers on tap and three in casks. The bar also will open any bottle of American craft beer that someone wants to taste. Present up to three receipts from American Craft Beer Week events to get bonus pours.